ArdentDesigns

Cranberry Pork Roast

2012-01-06T19:11:00.002-05:00

Caramelize 1-2 Onions in olive oil
add minced garlic near end to brown

Add above to slow cooker with:

Pork Roast
1 cup Crushed Cranberries (or chutney or frozen or whatever you have)
splash lemon juice
splash pomegranate glaze (or apple cider)
2-4 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
rosemary, thyme, tarragon

slow cook all of the above
served with green salad & mashed potatoes

Joelyns 2012 Pot Roast

2012-01-05T19:01:00.002-05:00

Beef roast
rub top w/ :
trader joes garlic aioli mustard
minced garlic

Dice:
carrots
sweet potato
parsnips
celery
onion

spices/salt/pepper blend
4ish Tablespoons Marsala wine

Slow Cook All

Joelyns Traditional Pot Roast

2012-01-05T18:59:00.000-05:00

Beef Roast

Dice:
carrots
potatoes
celery
onions
mushrooms
minced garlic

spices/salt/pepper blend
white or red wine
rosemary
thyme

Trader Joes Cream Of Portabella Mushroom Soup

Slow Cook All

Fast Fresh off the VineTomato Soup & Sandwiches

2011-09-13T11:50:00.003-04:00

Tomato SOUP
1/2 box Trader Joes (low sodium) Roasted tomato & Red Pepper Soup
1/2 box Trader Joes (low sodium) Vegetable Broth
1 Teaspoon Minced Garlic
Fresh Chopped Basil
Diced Ripe Tomatoes
(optional - left over diced) Roasted Chicken

Tomato Sandwiches
Wheat Ciabatta Roll (sliced)
Spread Pesto on both halves
Thick slice Ripe Tomato
Slice of Fresh Mozerella
Press in Panini Grill

1st batch of hair pins, made & taken to Karma Hair Studio just in time for Prom

2011-05-19T16:50:00.000-04:00

quick yummy rice noodles & sauce

2011-01-21T11:15:00.000-05:00

boil rice noodles (for this recipe I like the wide ones)
drain
in hot empty pan whisk pumpkin & Trader Joes Asian peanut vinaigrette (in refrigerated salad/dressing/ dept by produce) & low sodium veggie or chicken broth.
add noodles back to pan & mix.
add Broccoli or veggie(s) of choice

I served it with these
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2879390/aidells_chicken_meatballs_teriyaki.html?cat=22

Lemon Merangue Minis - NEW by Joelyn & Mya, inspired by Cindy

2010-12-22T18:32:00.000-05:00

Cindy (my sister) made Lemon Merangues for Thanksgiving and put Lemon Curd between 2 of them. So I wanted to take that and make something similar with a "pie" taste to it.

So Mya & I came up with these and they ROCK!

preheat oven to 325

beat 2 egg whites until foamy
(I use powdered egg whites + water because they ALWAYS work perfectly)

add pinch of salt
2 pinch cream of tarter

beat until stiff (lifting the beater up should result in peak holding its shape)

slowly add 2/3 Cups + 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar while beating the mixture (don't over beat)

turn oven OFF

drop teaspoon size (or small cookie scoop size) onto parchment paper
put in the warm oven for a few hours.

once cooled
spread Lemon Curd (Trader Joes makes a good one)
on the bottom of the merangues
dip bottoms in graham cracker crumbs to keep curd from sticking to things

YUM YUM YUM TART AND WONDERFUL

Christmas Poofs - Classic Mint Chocolate Chip

2010-12-22T18:20:00.000-05:00

My favorite Christmas treat:

preheat oven to 325

beat 2 egg whites until foamy
(I use powdered egg whites + water because they ALWAYS work perfectly)

add pinch of salt
2 pinch cream of tarter

beat until stiff (lifting the beater up should result in peak holding its shape)

slowly add 2/3 Cups + 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar while beating the mixture (don't over beat)

gently add/stir mint extract (we used to dye green to make them look festive)
carefully stir in mini chocolate chips or slivers of chocolate

turn oven OFF

drop teaspoon size (or small cookie scoop size) onto parchment paper
put in the warn oven for a few hours.

Roasted Veggie Subs

2010-11-16T18:13:00.000-05:00

Caramelize Sliced Onions while doing the following other tasks

Roast in oven with a little olive oil:
halved Red Peppers
thin slices of Butternut Squash
grape tomatoes

Saute sliced Mushrooms

Lightly toast whole wheat sub buns (any hearty bread would be good).

Add Goat cheese (or any of your choice)
place back in toaster oven to melt cheese

Assemble YUM YUM YUM

Impromptu Creamy Pasta (w/out the cream)

2010-10-17T21:55:00.001-04:00

Boil pasta (I use wheat fettuccini)

• Quickly put some frozen Chicken sausage into a pan w/ a little water. When they started to thaw I used scissors to cut them into pieces. Let cook covered so the juices and flavor stayed in the pan with the meat.

*don’t feel like you have to use the meat, this dish would be great without meat and you could add broiled portabellas!

Drained pasta

Pulled out left over veggie broth from fridge. (Any broth you have would be fine)
Heated broth as I added reduced fat cream cheese
It wasn’t thick enough so I tossed in my leftover baked sweat potatoes and mashed them to make a smooth thick sauce.
Added Pesto & meat with the juices.
Topped with a little parmesan asiago blend.

YUM YUM YUM

Pasta & Sauce - QUICK, easy, yummy

2010-10-03T17:44:00.001-04:00

I keep frozen pasta on hand for those rushed nights. Stuffed with whatever you like: cheese, ricotta, mushrooms, chicken, spinach, sausage....

So tonight I tossed some in boiling water, moved to drain.
Tossed equal parts of the following in the pan to heat:
tomato sauce, pumpkin puree, pesto
added pasta back in

YUM
(actually tasted very similar to Trader Joes Vodka Sauce oddly enough...)

Stuffed Red Peppers

2010-09-17T18:49:00.000-04:00

This made 6 stuffed peppers (12 halves)

put 1 cup of Quinoa or Couscous in the rice maker with 2 cups of low sodium vegetable broth (love ya Trader Joes ; ) –sub if needed, any broth or water would be fine to cook the grain….

Sauté minced garlic
Add diced onions until they start to brown on the edges
Add diced mushrooms
Cook down

Combine mixture w/ grain
Add spinach
Add feta cheese
Add Greek seasoning
(optional) add diced cooked chicken &/or chick peas

Cut red peppers in half, remove seeds.
Fill with mixture
Top w/ a little feta

Bake at 400

Steak Salad

2010-08-16T19:09:00.002-04:00

mmmmm

Marinade steak Overnight. Here's Joes steak marinade recipe.

Marinade Portobello mushrooms in Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil for 15 min

Grill the mushrooms and steak (or just have 1 or the other)

Make Salad:
Spinach
Grape Tomatoes
Caramelized Onions
Blue Cheese (Mya doesn't like blue cheese, so she had goat cheese)
Pecans
Grilled Steak
Grilled Portobello mushrooms

Dressing: any balsamic would be great. We used Briannas American dressing tonight which was great. This kind would also be good.

Salad: Perfect Summer Dinner!

2010-08-15T19:01:00.000-04:00

Grill marinated Chicken breasts (I used Trader Joes Tuscan Italian dressing, or any Balsamic Vinaigrette)
Slice & cool

Red leaf lettuce &/or Spinach
Green Onions
Fresh Blueberries
Goat Cheese
Pecans

dressing: Trader Joes Tuscan Italian or any Balsamic Vinaigrette

Greek Style Pasta salad w/ a Twist

2010-05-04T19:22:00.000-04:00

Boil/Cool Wheat or full fiber pasta

Dice:
Cucumbers
Yellow or Red Peppers
Green Onions
Grilled/Cooled Chicken Sausage (I used Spinach Feta ones)

Mix all together and add
Feta Cheese
Grape Tomatoes
Dressing (I normally use ceasar, but I was out, so today I used Olive oil with infused Italian herbs, then I added some lemon juice and greek salt free seasoning)

Serve over Spinach

Asian Pizza - CPK eat your heart out!

2010-04-17T19:40:00.001-04:00

- Crust (I use pita bread)

- Thai peanut sauce
buy pre-made or whisk: pb, pepper flakes, sesame ginger dressing (I use Paul Newmans)

- Shredded carrots
- Diced green onions
- Diced Mushrooms
- Diced chicken (marinade in Sesame Ginger dressing OR buy Trader Joes cooked Asian Chicken in the freezer section)
- Shredded Mozzarella

Bake

top with diced Avocado

Yummy Dressed up Wedge Salad

2010-03-31T14:53:00.000-04:00

Lettuce Wedge
Thin slices of red or green onions
Diced Avocado
Blue Cheese Dressing

Optional extras:
- Caramelized mushrooms & onions
- Finely diced left over steak or bacon bits

Myas party

2010-03-31T14:40:00.002-04:00

Mya had a great Bday party. We are happy to have so many wonderful friends in her, and our, lives.

still behind, but catching up!

2010-03-24T12:51:00.000-04:00

We all got better from our colds/sinus infections in time to celebrate Myas 7th Bday and Finish her science project AND get taxes done! I managed to get new items to Karma, a GREAT Hair Salon in Saline MI where I sell some of my work. I have yet to catch up on posting new items to Etsy... Getting ready for Myas Bday party on Sat for her friends to come over. Then life should return to its normal level of slightly more manageable chaos. I have been cooking a lot and am making mental notes of recipes to type/post.

Oh & did I mention that Mya finished Basketball. She got a basket in her last game - SO proud. She is still in Dance and starts Soccer soon. THE FUN NEVER ENDS!

Aiden is sitting up now and eating cereal. He doesn't crawl yet, but he gets where he wants to be! Dragging, rolling.... He is a MOVER & a SHAKER.

Super behind!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ..............

2010-03-06T14:59:00.002-05:00

No I DON'T have a Super Behind! I need time to workout on that! - I AM super behind in..... Everything: life, laundry, cooking, dishes, blogs, creating, photographing, cleaning, posting items, projects, working out, planning a Bday party for Mya...

As if I weren't behind enough. We all had the flu 2 weeks ago, were better a week then had/have cold all this week. Just trying to do some laundry & dishes today - the piles are EXPLODING!

I will share a yummy recipe I found online. It went great with the Roasted chicken I had Joe grab at the store....

http://www.mydailymoment.com/recipes/holiday_butternut_squash_and_pecan_gratin.php

Butternut Squash and Pecan Gratin

Created by The MDM Team, Saturday, 27 October 2007

You butternut skip out on this scrumptious squash dish. A creamy, dreamy casserole, the squash and pecan gratin is chock full of goodness. Infused with rich flavors, it's one of those recipes you'll prepare time and time again.

Ingredients

2 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided use
3/4 cup pecans
3 lb. butternut squash
2 tsp. olive oil
1 cup yellow onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
1 tsp. kosher salt
3/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
4 oz. fresh mild goat cheese
2 tbsp. Italian parsley, chopped

Methods/steps

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Generously grease a 2-quart casserole dish with one tbsp. of butter and set aside.
Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast in oven for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant and deepened in color. Set aside to cool and chop coarsely.
To make a whole squash easier to cut, pierce in several places with a paring knife.
Microwave at high for 2 minutes, then rotate and repeat.
Remove from the oven and set aside 5 minutes.
Cut the ends off of the squash, then cut into large chunks, seed, peel and slice 1/4 in. thick.
Heat remaining butter with 2 tsp. oil in a deep 12 in. skillet or Dutch oven on medium heat.
When sizzling, add onion and sauté 5 minutes until lightly browned.
Add garlic and sauté 1 minute.
Add cream, milk, salt and pepper, bring to a simmer.
Add squash and simmer gently 5 minutes, stir in pecans.
Transfer half of the squash mixture to prepared pan and dot with half of the goat cheese.
Spoon remaining squash mixture on top and dot with remaining goat cheese.
Place on a sturdy baking sheet and bake 45 minutes or until squash is very tender and cream is almost absorbed.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley.
Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
There are plenty of easy ways to add a nutritional punch to your food. Check out our guide to slipping more fruits and vegetables into your diet with these meal ideas.

Rejuvenate Reuse Recycle - NEW Section in my Etsy store

2010-02-26T21:20:00.002-05:00

Check back often, I am having a blast making a ton, can't keep up with photos/posting....
Pendants, Rings, Earrings, more Hair Items, Sets.....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArdentDesigns?section_id=5757006

Raspberry Vinegrette

2010-02-26T21:11:00.002-05:00

Raspberry Vinegrette

1/2 C Rasberry Vinager
1/2 C Olive Oil
1/2 C Peanut oil (or Walnut)
1/2 C Maple Syrup
1 T Dijan Mustard
1 T Tarragon
1 t sea salt

Goes great on greens w/ blue cheese & walnuts & dried cherries or fresh red pears

Pa Pas Valentines Day gift

2010-02-14T19:06:00.003-05:00

Mya & Aiden and I made this for Joe for Valentines Day. It is fused glass cut into the shape of a heart with gold mica for the prints and text. The purple side has Mya's hand print & name, the red side has Aiden's feet and name. It just came out of the kiln, but I think we will end up putting it in a square frame.

Sorry for the poor quality snapshots, I took them on the dining room table quick so I could post tonight, or it may never happen as it will quickly fall to the bottom of my long list of things to think about....

Myas 1st Acrylic Painting (at 6 yrs & 10 mths old)

2010-02-04T13:12:00.004-05:00

Well this was a long fun adventure... I worked with Mya (note, I have no painting skills...)
I tried to show her the concepts of different textures, blending colors....
She did most of this painting herself. I helped smooth edges & outlines of the more complicated components for her to color in... (wings, wands, bodies...), but in general I tried to have her do as much of it as possible. Also, she controlled all choices of colors and did the more simple components completely alone (sky, bushes, mushrooms, flowers, butterflies....). She did most of the grass with brushes and toothpicks, but got "sick of it so I had to finish a section. The bush was her idea and I taught her how to make it reds in addition to greens with a textured brush.

I am so excited that we were able to enjoy this activity together. Normally she is "done" with a project after minutes. It is neat to see her at an age with an attention span that if I say "are you sure you're done? or would you like to learn how to make the grass look more real by making a pattern with a toothpick" - that she will say "Show me" instead of "no this is good, I'm done" : ) The sunset colors in the sky were her idea after she painted it all 1 plain flat color blue and I showed her on another piece of paper how to blend shades of blues and whites to create a more realistic sky.... It was a blast, even if it did take us way longer (weeks) than I expected.

In the end, CREDIT must go to Aunt Cindy for the facial features. She is a professional artist and we just felt that neither of us could draw mouths or eyes that didn't ruin the whole thing... so Cindy was kind enough to paint very simple features to compliment the rest of Mya's piece - THANKS CINDY

Super spins on Pizza!

2010-01-24T21:08:00.001-05:00

CRUST:

Normally I keep my freezer stocked with Greek flat bread (also called pocketless pita). You can get it anywhere, but I have found the best price in a yummy thick soft option at Sam’s Club. They are perfect to pull out of the freezer, toss toppings on & pop in the oven at 400 for personal pizzas on Friday nights. I generally get giant pepperoni from the deli when Boars Head is on sale, it freezes wonderfully as well. (I also use the bread to toast w/ soup, dip in hummus…)

Anyway, since we made traditional pizzas Friday night, I was out of the flat bread Saturday so the photos you see this time are traditional pizza crust (yikes! lucky I found yeast in my fridge!)

Anyway, we made 3 variations this weekend:

PESTO, CARAMELIZED ONIONS, MUSHROOMS & GOAT CHEESE

PREPARATION:

-        Warm a couple Tablespoons of Olive Oil in a non stick pan

-        Thinly slice 2 onions

-        Put them in the pan on Medium heat & stir from time to time until caramelized

-        Add a package of diced mushroom and a package of diced portabella mushrooms

-        Cook down a few minutes to reduce juices from mushrooms

You can use store bought PESTO, but if you would like to make your own, here is how I did it, just throw these things in a food processor to make a paste.

- Basil leaves

- Sun dried tomatoes (if I have them)

- Pine nuts or walnuts or pecans

- Olive oil

-        Normally I put parmesan in my pesto, but not always if I know I am putting it on pizza that will have cheese as a topping anyway…

ASSEMBLY:

-        Mix Pesto with a teaspoon or so of balsamic vinegar

-        Spread pesto/vinegar mixture onto crust

-        Spread the onions & mushrooms that you caramelized evenly over the pizza

-        Sprinkle Goat cheese on the pizza (fresh Mozzarella would go well if you don’t like/have Goat Cheese)

-        Bake at 400

-        (if you have it) garnish with chopped fresh basil

This pizza is great hot, but was also wonderful the next day cold!

Too tired to type the other recipes tonight, so more to come later this week!

Joe's Luminary Lamp with his Photographs - Progress Update

2010-01-22T11:35:00.000-05:00

Joe has made SIGNIFICANT progress on his Luminary Lamp project this week. He had this vision of using his photographs to make lamps. He has tried a few options and believes he has come up with the one he wants to move forward with. He did tests this week with the prints on the lamps and they look great. Now we are on to the final step of integrating handmade paper to frame the image and we will have one beautiful finished piece! Can’t wait, but in the meantime, here is a picture of his prototype. It looks so nice whether the light is on or off, I can just see the final product in my head and it is wonderful!

Joe’s Braised Beef Roast

2010-01-22T11:28:00.001-05:00

Braised Beef Roast

Well Joe made a WONDERFUL dinner the other night. He also was kind enough to type out the recipe and take a few snapshots of the process for me to share with you all!

2 lbs roast, round steak, or ternderloin
2 cups red wine (3 buck chuck from Trader Joes works good)
1/4 cup olive oil

2 1/2 cups Beef or vegetable stock

1-2 stalks Celery

2 Tblsp minced garlic

2 large carrots or equivalent baby carrots, cut 1/4 inch pieces

1/2 cup red onion

1/2 cup sweet or yellow onion

1 Tsp Thyme

1 Tsp dill

1 bay leaf

1 Tsp ground pepper

1/2 Tsp salt

2 1/2 cups mushrooms any type, a variety works nice.

Make marinade for the roast and marinade for 2-6hours prior to cooking

Combine:
1 cup red wine
1 1/2 cup stock

1/4 cup olive oil

1 stalk celery finely chopped

1/2 Tsp Thyme

1/2 Tsp dill

1/2 Tsp pepper

1/Tsp Salt

1 Tblsp minced garlic

Add to Zip lock bag with the roast. Refridgerate for as long as you can before cooking. 2-6 hours

Grill -- or - sear the Roast on each side in a HOT skillet with a bit of oil 5 minutes a side or so.
Reserve the marinade for the sauce.
Use 1/2 of the reserved marinade for the Braising vessel and 90% of the onions both red and yellow, 90% of the Mushrooms. cover tightly Place in oven at 425 degree F for 45 -75 Minutes or to desired doness

Make the sauce

add remainder of the reserved marinade just a few carrots, 10% of the onions both red and yellow, 1 Tblsp minced Garlic, remaining thyme, dill, pepper, Bay leaf.
Add a 1/2-3/4 cup more wine and also Broth. Should start with about 3-4 cups total
Bring to boil in Sauce pan then reduce heat an simmer to the desired thickness. 45 minutes or so
Strain to a sauce vessel or bowl.

Remove roast from oven
Let the roast rest covered for15 minutes.

Goes wonderfully with steamed Green Beans & Garlic Smashed Potatoes

SALE OF THE DAY

2010-01-19T16:10:00.000-05:00

Myas Muffins & My most recent work of Pearls

2010-01-18T09:12:00.004-05:00

Well Mya & I make Blueberry muffins from time to time. We have been close to perfecting a recipe when she said "Let's add Chocolate Chips". I didn't think it sounded right, but we tried it and they are yummy... So here it is!

Myas Muffins: Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

Preheat oven to 400

Beat until smooth:

1 Cup milk - WARM it a few seconds in the micro (just to get to room temp) so it doesn’t make the butter lump up

½ Cup softened butter

½ Cup Canola or Smart Balance Oil

½ Cup Egg White beaters (or 2 eggs)

2 Teaspoons Vanilla

Add these ingredients on top of mixture, but don’t mix them in yet:

4 Cups flour

You can use all purpose, OR here’s what we do to really add some grains & depth of texture/flavors): 1 Cup all purpose, 1 ½ Cup Whole Wheat, 1 ½ Cup Oat Flour (if you don’t have any, toss some oats in the food processor for a while)

1 Cup Granulated sugar

1 Cup + 2 Tablespoons Brown sugar

4 Teaspoons of Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon salt

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

Pinch of Nutmeg

Optional, but we like to throw in ½ Cup Flax Seed Meal

Now gently mix the dry ingredients together (this is to get them integrated with each other evenly without having to do it in a separate bowl – save dirty dishes!)

Once dry is mixed, fold the dry mix with the moist batter below just enough to start to integrate the dry with the wet. DON’T Over mix.

Add Blueberries & Chocolate Chips – don’t be shy : ) We normally do about 2 Cups BB & 1 Cup CC (but Mya may add more when I am not looking : )

Fold together

Put in muffin tins

Bake 15-25 min (length depends on size S/M/L) Until toothpick comes out clean.

Also, here is my most recent Pearl designs, which I made my sale of the day today!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArdentDesigns

Leftovers into AMAZING "Chili"

2010-01-17T11:11:00.002-05:00

- mashed potatos

- chicken chirizo (I had left over from taco salad nigth, so you could use other mexican meat if you want)

- salsa (I used my new favorite kind from Trader Joes, the fresh black bean & corn - which I worried wouldnt last another week raw)

- chicken broth

Joelyns Turkey Chili

2010-01-17T11:10:00.002-05:00

Boil: diced potatoes, drain set aside

Sauté:

Cumin Seeds

Sun Dried Tomatoes

Minced Garlic

Add & Saute:

Minced Onions

Minced Mushrooms

Minced Celery (opt)

Minced Apple (opt)

Add, Mash & Simmer:

White Wine

Veggie Broth

Basil Leaf

Ground Coriander

Pepper

Lemon Juice

Diced Soft Potatoes

Minced Jalapeño Peppers

Add & Heat through:

Black Beans

Baked Beans

Corn

Spinach

Scallions
Cilantro
Chunks of Turkey (or Chicken)

Serve with tortilla chips to dip in it - yum.
Garnish w/ diced avacados if you have them

PaPas Best Chili (named by Mya : )

2010-01-17T11:09:00.003-05:00

Chili perfected over many years by Joe Welch:
16 Oz tomato sauce
16 Oz diced tomatoes
1 Ib - 1.5 Lb sirloin (see marinade recipe) - broiled or grilled - sliced to desired size
Med sized onion - 1 inch cut /sautéed in olive oil
1 red or yellow pepper - 1 inch cut /sautéed in olive oil

2-4 Serrano peppers sautéed in olive oil then chop finely
1 - 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
1 t chili powder
1/2 t salt
1 t thyme
1 bay Leaf
1 t basil

bring to boil then lower to mild simmer for 1-2 hrs

once simmered add:
8 Oz pinto beans
8 Oz baked beans
additional chili powder to taste

simmer additional 15 minutes
pull out bay leave

Steak Marinade perfected over many years by Joe Welch, based off his moms recipe:

Ketchup

Mustard (dry or jarred)

Olive oil

Balsamic Vinegar

Worcestershire sauce

Minced Garlic

Seasoning salt

Thyme

Basil

Best to marinade steak overnight & then grill or broil it, but good no matter what

Friday night Food w/ a twist! YUM

2010-01-15T22:29:00.006-05:00

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes & Blue Cheese

OK, so 1 of our favorite Friday night foods is to make our own twice baked potatoes. Earlier in the week I bake potatoes (this week w/ the meatloaf I already posted).

So then I normally empty the potatoes, mash w/ a little light sour cream/garlic/bacon bites/cheddar. Then I top w/ green onions after baked for the second time.

QUICK & YUMMY. Healthier than getting them from a chain & still yummy enough to feel like a treat.

but, tonight I was out of cheddar AND I needed to use up both plain & sweet potatoes so I came up with a YUMMY SURPRISE NEW RECIPE : )

- Hollow out potatoes & sweet potatoes (equal amounts of each)

- Mash w/ pepper & light sour cream & Blue cheese (I bet goat cheese would be good to, I plan to try that nx wk)

- I add bacon bits from the freezer which I either buy precooked/cut OR make by cooking & breaking up turkey bacon to freeze & pull out as needed.... BUT THIS WOULD BE GOOD W/OUT MEAT TOO

- Top with a little light cheddar or mozzarella blend (if you have it)

- bake to heat through

- Top w/ diced green onions

YYUUMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!

I just made these & posted them to Etsy. Just in time for Valentines day shopping! They are called Secretly Jaded Valentine because they have the little sterling silver hearts and the stone I ended up using is called Soochow Jade (which I will tell you more about in the post)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38621870

Yummy Bold Meatloaf (& it freezes great)

2010-01-15T15:38:00.001-05:00

Meatloaf (which Joe said he never liked until he had mine : )

1 lb lean beef or ground turkey
1 pks Spicy Italian chicken sausage (Trader Joes. If you cant find this, use whatever you can find & add some dried crushed red peppers to kick it up – Ground Turkey also works well)
1 pk sweet or original or Italian chicken sausage (original pork sausage will work too)

Ketchup
Worcestershire Sauce
Bread Crumbs (oats or crushed croutons are fine substitutes – you just need enough to balance the moisture and help bind)
Egg White Beaters (or a normal egg if you aren’t worried about cholesterol)
Minced onion

Dry or normal mustard

IF you don’t like veggies, don’t have any or are in a rush, this meatloaf is great without them too, but we love veggies and always want them in everything so….

As for veggies, sometimes I chop, sometimes mince, sometimes purée. I use whatever of the following that I have on hand, I use this as an opportunity to clean out the fridge.

(total about 1.5 to 2 cups):
Garlic

Red cabbage
Carrots
Celery

Peppers

Onions

Mushrooms

NOW, if you sauté the veggies you DON’T need as much of the breadcrumbs because you will have already cooked out a lot of excess moisture. I’ve done it both ways; it’s just about time and mood. Also sautéing does change the flavors of the veggies.

This is supposed to be a semi spicy meatloaf, so if you didn’t include spicy sausage, then I suggest putting BBQ sauce on top of the meatloaf. Trader Joes is pretty bold so I mix with ketchup. If you used spicy sausage you don’t need to put anything on top, unless you’d like to.

This meatloaf goes GREAT with baked sweet potatoes

I haven't been able to bead much this past week, Aiden has been sick with a cold. Here is a piece I did get done and plan to post tonight.

Oh and here are the kiddos

Yummy & Easy Peanut Beef Crock Pot

2010-01-08T12:40:00.000-05:00

Yummy & Easy Peanut Beef Crock Pot

Well I didn't get to post a recipe last night. I didn't get to make dinner last night actually! Aiden was sick and Mya had some hard homework. Pretty sure I won't get to cook today either, so I am going to share what I made last week and how quick and easy and yummy it was.

Slow cook:

Beef Roast (chicken would also be good, or pork for that matter)

Carrots

Onions

Peanut sauce or peanut dressing to taste (Marzetti Thai Peanut Dressing or Trader Joe's to name a few... I have made sauce pretty easily in the past too, but when there isn't time, just buy it!)

Toss in frozen peas once the dish is cooked, they just need to heat uppp

Serve over rice

Joe likes xtra peanut sauce heated up in the side to pour on his meat, but you don't need it (or much in the cooked portion) if you are trying to go lean! It's flavor goes a long way and is such a nice change to traditional pot roast....

As for Ardent Designs... that was on hold today to take care of the kids. I do have a picture to share of one of the new designs, but I have yet to post any new items to my store or to get the rest of my works photographed in the past coupld of day.... I hope the weekend brings me time to get more done and posted.

Butternut Squash Casserole

2010-01-06T21:21:00.001-05:00

THINGS I DO AHEAD OF TIME

1. Cut in half, bake, deseed & mash 1 large or 2 small butternut squash (I generally do this on the weekend when I am baking other things)

2. I generally make a variation of this Green Bean Casserole recipe earlier in the week when I plan to make the squash dish later in the week….

http://tinyurl.com/y9jta44

I modify the above linked recipe for health & speed by

- skip topping (I just use some Trader Joes fried Onions which are trans fat free), or don’t top it at all

- For the beans: I just steam them for a couple of minutes

- For sauce: less salt, low sodium/fat broth, use less half & half and replace the rest with skim milk or white wine, ONLY USE ½-2/3 of the SAUCE once you make it IN THE DISH SAVE THE REMAINDER of the SAUCE for the Butternut Squash Casserole recipe below

Butternut Squash Casserole

Boil a pot of water & toss in a box of Whole Grain pasta (any shape)

To the mashed squash add:

garlic, nutmeg, Italian seasonings, pepper to taste

In a bowl, add Ricotta cheese (I use low fat & generally use about half as much Ricotta as squash, but that’s a preference thing)

Add the sauce left from the bean casserole you made a few days ago : )

Add some broth or white wine or skim milk IF needed to make the mixture more the thickness of spaghetti sauce VS mashed potatoes… (just so it doesn’t dry too much when baking)

Add:

Kale (or spinach, but I preferred the Kale)

Drained cooked whole grain noodles

Dried cherries

Diced pack of precooked Chicken Sausage (I like the apple chicken from Trader Joes or Sams Club)

*or to go vegetarian replace the meat with a pack of diced portabella mushrooms

Mix all of the above, put in a dish, top with chopped walnuts & parmesan cheese

Bake at 350 or 400 until heated through

Today I beaded more jewelry as well. I managed to photograph some, but not all of it and posted one. Must get to bed so I can get up early tomorrow, so I will wait to post more items for my Valentines Day series. Here's a sneak peak.

Back to the Luminaire, Back to MacGyver'in

2010-01-06T09:16:00.001-05:00

Back in November we posted a sad little post feeling sorry for ourselves because we were having a hard time coming up with a solution for a luminaire, or wall sconce.

It's a new year and we are back to the project with more successes than failures this time. No photo yet but seems we are on the right track with manufactured luminaire base with applied original photos printed on Vellum applied to the base to provide a one of a kind Luminaire Lamp. Look for it soon in ADPhotography etsy store

We are still working on the wall sconce too that will be made from warm glass.

Sweet potato and Mustard chicken with Roasted Veggies and Goat Cheese

2010-01-05T18:56:00.004-05:00

I am so high energy now that I have recovered from pregnancy and birth, that I am starting to focus on Health again. I often make recipes on the fly that float through my head and when they are good I am so sure I will remember how I did them, but sometimes I don't. So I try to type them down if they were a hit with the family. It occurred to me.... I have a blog and never enough to say, I should share some of these recipes as we are all starting a New Year and most likely focusing on health.

Here's what we had tonight YUM....

Sweet potato & Mustard chicken

Bake/mash a sweet potato. set aside.

Heat pan to med-high, add a little olive oil

Add minced garlic & spicy mustard (& a little honey or maple syrup if you’d like)

Add diced mushrooms (if you have them)

Add chicken breasts

Cover with heavy skillet (I use this on top of the chicken to speed cooking, it’s fine if you don’t, just cover it with a lid instead)

Add veggie or chicken stock

As pan dries, add white wine & stock as needed

Add Tarragon & Thyme to taste

Flip chicken often so it doesn’t stick

When chicken is done, add a mashed sweet potato & stock to make desired thick sauce

(I have made this w/out the sweet potato, but it adds vitamins & fiber & thickness. Without it, the chicken is more like Honey Mustard Chicken)

Roasted Cauliflower & Grape Tomatoes

Coat cut cauliflower & whole grape tomatoes with olive oil & salt & pepper

I DID THEM ON SEPARATE PANS BECAUSE THE TOMATOES GET DONE QUICKER

Roast in oven at 500 (I used parchment paper)

When done, pull and mix in some goat cheese to melt and coat the veggies

I was out, but this would be great with fresh basil

Well I have been beading up a storm! I have been working on a lot of different series. I am continuing my "Jaded" series from last years Valentines day designs as well as the pink and red series.

Additionally I am rebuilding my Simply Silver & Gold collection since it was so popular and therefore depleted and I have a ton of new pieces. Lastly, I am returning to my Bali Silver and Natural Stones series that was sold out at past shows. I cant wait to get some of these new items photographed and posted. I will keep you all updated on my progress.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-03T18:13:00.002-05:00

I have been busy making jewelry over the holidays. I also loaded up on new beads, so I am full of inspiration. Santa brought me glass and tools this year too. SO much to do, so little time.

Pink & Posh giveaway

2009-12-15T09:00:00.001-05:00

We just entered to win an awesome give away through our good freinds at Pink & Posh. They are giving away a HP TouchSmart 600 Desktop with Windows 7! How cool is that?

go here to check it out

Festive Holiday Jewelry

2009-12-14T19:00:00.000-05:00

There is still time to get a pair of Ardent Designs holiday ear rings. There are several color combinations to choose from and several designs for our angels, Christmas trees, and even a mistletoe design. These designs are so cute and several of them are even sized small enough for that little angel in your life that you still need a stocking stuffer for. Time is limited for delivery by Christmas so hurry and get yours today!

Check them out here

New Items coming from ADPhotography

2009-12-14T18:40:00.000-05:00

I have some Photos taken old school (on taditional film) that need to be scanned before I can list them as items for sale. I am hoping to get them masked and to the lab for hi res scans this week. I am hoping that posting this will also provide the requisite motivation to complete the task.

Sale of the day at ArdentDesigns on Etsy

2009-12-09T14:14:00.001-05:00

My sale of the day sold already today! I will try to post a new sale this afternoon.

Check out what you may have missed: Here Photo posted below.

Keep informed of the Sale of the day by becoming a fan of ArdentDesigns on face book.

Joelyn Welch is a fan of

Ardent Designs

Create your Fan Badge

New prints at ADPhotography

2009-12-08T13:13:00.002-05:00

There are a couple new posts at ADPhotography on etsy. This image was photographed at the Mesa Verde Ruins in Colorado.

Blueberry Muffins

2009-12-08T08:49:00.000-05:00

Just ate homemade blueberry muffins for breakfast!

Beading like a crazt lady!

2009-12-03T21:56:00.001-05:00

I have been beading like a crazy lady. Started the week beading a bunch of Christmas Trees and Angels. Still doing that actually. BUT as I was shopping for bead supplies I started feeling a renewed passion and vision for many other pieces .... so I am back on my natural stone series and also plan to get back to my Simply Sterling series soon.

In order to enjoy beading again more, I have moved Aidens cradle out of the bedroom (since he sleeping through the night in his crib/room now). So I moved my beading supply back in here. Still need to organize the basement and make it more friendly for glass work/fusing and then move my bead station down there... AND Joe needs space down there. First we need to clean up all Myas mess.... mostly crafts and moon sand - everywhere.....

Prints going up on ADPhotogrphy

2009-12-01T16:46:00.000-05:00

Got new posts going up on ADPhotography. Beautiful prints from our extensive library of photos. Go check em out

adphotography.etsy.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T12:54:00.002-05:00

I am Thankful for my family & our health. For clean water, food, medical care, freedom, technology, shelter, law enforcement, the military, education, art & music and Gods love.

My mind goes to the people in the world without clean water, food, freedom, or education. The kids who are forced to work as laborers, hunters, soldiers and sex slaves. The ones who watch their families die from sickness and violence as their own tummies are also empty and they are sold into slavery. The little girls born into cultures that don't give them equal rights, who treat them as possessions and even mutilate their genitals in the name of purity. The boys who are forced into manhood far too early and told that they are meant to dominate woman and fight against others as they are taught to seek power and lust as their proof of strength and value.

I pray thanks for the freedoms and luxuries we so easily take for granted. And also that we become less numb to the more subtle wrongs in this country such as domestic abuse, animal abuse, corporate greed, political corruption, medias constant pressures on girls regarding sexuality and their body image, the glass ceiling men so deny in the workplace….

As I type I am more and more aware of how much I have been blessed with by the absence of so many of these atrocities in my own life.

SALE! Black Friday starts NOW at ADPhotography!

2009-11-25T19:31:00.000-05:00

Black Friday starts NOW at ADPhotography!
All items $10 already marked down from $15, 2 for $18 ($2 will be refunded via paypal).

Special for Blog readers. Heart me and get free shipping or additional 10% for custom cards.
Put the fact that you hearted in the notes section during purchase to get the heart discount.

adphotography.etsy.com

Fan Pages on face book

2009-11-23T07:19:00.000-05:00

We created a Fan Page for Ardent designs:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Ardent-Designs/222908792941?ref=ts

We also recently joined Etsy Black Friday as a fan and are promoting our black friday deals there, but there are bunches of other merchants posting there too so if you want to shop for a deal on black friday but don't want to stand in line all day long (or over the weekend) then check em out.

http://www.facebook.com/etsy.black.friday

Wall Sconce and/or Luminare Lamp

2009-11-20T16:15:00.000-05:00

I (Joe) have been struggling with a new idea and I've tried about 4 different prototypes for a Luminare Lamp that would lend itself to printed transparencies of photos.

I thought it would be a cool way to combine mine photography and my engineering (aka "MacGyver'in").

So far every single one of these prototypes have failed for various reasons. Just thought I would post this out to vent some of the frustration.

Black Friday is coming!

2009-11-19T15:23:00.000-05:00

Special deals at both shops as well as tons of Etsy shops beginning on 11/27 going through 11/30.

Ardent Designs is taking 25% off everything in the shop. ardentdesigns.etsy.com

ADPhotography is running a sale. Any 1 item for $10 and any 2 items for $18. adphotography.etsy.com

Also find all sorts of deals all over Etsy at: Etsy Black Friday Facebook page

ADPhotography new product.

2009-11-19T13:42:00.000-05:00

ADPhotography has a new product line. Personalized designed cards. They can be announcements, Save the dates, or Christmas cards. We already have a variety of designs to choose from and they are listed on Etsy.

All you do is choose the design and then send us the photos you want to use in the card and we will plug in the photos for you and send you the file to be printed at any photo processor near you. We can also do the printing for you if you prefer and ship the finished product to your door.

Get yours at adphotography.etsy.com

New listing at ADPhotography etsy store

2009-11-17T09:47:00.000-05:00

New listing at ADPhotography etsy store. Yellow Stuff #2 from the Yellow Stuff Series.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34681555

I'm Thankful for....

2009-11-15T17:01:00.004-05:00

Thanksgiving is fast approaching! What are you thankful for? I am thankful for my wonderful husband and kids, our health, our dog and our extended family and network of friends.

I am also thankful for the creative inspiration, opportunities and supplies that are so vast and readily available in our world - both online and in 3D.

Note cards posted to the new ADPHotography etsy store

2009-11-10T08:28:00.008-05:00

Finally managed to get the new note cards posted to the new ADPhotography Etsy store.

Here you can see a couple of samples from the 2 posts so far. To the right are a couple of images from the Yellow stuff photo series.

Below is a sample from the Red Stuff Photo series.

The posts on Etsy both are 5 card sets. Each card features a different image from the series. They ship complete with envelopes.

The cards are digitally printed with a Glossy UV coating applied that really set off the images. the insides are flat white for your personal message to your loved one. Get yours today!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/adphotography

Christmas Plant Stakes are here!

2009-11-09T17:54:00.006-05:00

Meet Dasher the plant stake! Gorgeous Bronze Mica on a dark grey background of warm glass, set atop a hammered copper stake.

What a cute little snowman garaunteed to brighten a poinsetta or an everyday plant.

Then we have the chinese symbol for love. lovely enough to leave out all year long!

Another year round plant stake, sends the message we wish more of the world would heed.

Joy to the world. classic, beautiful, and set at an angle to set it apart of even the most dense plant.

Stay posted because the rudolph stake is on it's way.

More Plant Stakes (Plant Wands), And the new note cards are in.

2009-11-08T20:52:00.004-05:00

Just out of the kiln are new Holiday Plant Stakes (renamed from plant wands after a heated marketing meeting regarding their name). The epoxy is curing and hoping to do some photos tomorrow. They look beautiful and super festive.

Also the new ADP note cards are back from printing and need to do some photos and post them in the ADP store this week.

Next week we will be at South Arbor Academy in Ann Arbor, MI on Thursday 11/12, selling and promoting.

More New Glass

2009-11-03T17:37:00.019-05:00

Just finished several new Glass Fusings. Among them are these super beautiful & elegant dichroic glass stud earrings. Wonderful addition to a night out outfit or special occasion.

These cuff links, are a new product for ArdentDesigns. Simple, elegant, & artful. They encompass all of the charactersitics that Joelyn founded her jewelry designs on. They are elegant enough for black tie and cool enough for the club.

We don't make sets very often but when we do "kaaaa plow". These are handmade fused Glass featured in teal and grounded with a iredescent portion at the bottom. These could be with that special holiday outfit or everyday at the office.

Plant Wands!

2009-11-03T17:28:00.005-05:00

Two of the new Plant Wands are finally done. They are just simple, cute fused glass pendants atop a stressed, copper rod designed to stick in container plants or gardens. The copper is untreated and will acquire a patina over time, particularly if used outdoors.

We would love to know what you think of these so please feel free to comment.

New Store, more Soap Dishes, & Plant Wands

2009-11-02T14:41:00.004-05:00

Joe has created his new etsy store. We've posted the banner here. We are still waiting on the our custom note cards to come back from printing, should be tomorrow, and these will be the first listings. They are sets of 5 note cards. Each card in the set will feature a different photograph of a series.

The first two series to be featured are: The "Red Stuff" series and the "Yellow Stuff" series.

You can check out the new store here adphotography.etsy.com .

Joelyn is currently working up 2 new soap dishes in Glass. Its a 2 to 3 step process so we are anxiously awaiting the the final product.

Also She is hoping to finish some new Plant Wands consisting of Fused Glass and Copper. The copper stem just needs to be attached to the decoritive glass toppers and then photography to be presented.

Baby Aiden is here

2009-10-28T14:16:00.007-04:00

Aiden is here healthy and growing, so it's time to start working again.
Here's a link to the Week 1 photos of Aiden http://www.ardentdesigns.com/photoGalleries/aidenWK1/

Currently we are working on new Glass stuff. Barretts, Bobby pins, coasters, Soap Dishes, Stud ear rings.

Joe is opening a new Etsy store with photo's, & note cards this week!

Lots of stuff happening so we will try to post more in the near future.

Started casting in molds!

2009-04-18T09:53:00.003-04:00

1st firing didnt end as I would have liked. Basically I must not have accounted for how much glass needs to go in the mold because they didnt fill out enough once I made the patterns with broken pieces and frit. Also disappointed with how some of the kiln wash from the mold sticks to the back of the piece. I need to read mroe on how to prevent that!

Baby Baby!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-30T11:17:00.003-04:00

My show went well, more about that tomorrow when I also post pictures from it.

As for today, I figured I would share thebaby pic. It is from a few weeks ago, I am at 16 weeks now!

Show tomorrow!

2009-03-28T09:01:00.001-04:00

I will be at the Huron Valley Taste & EXPO. Here is their site:http://www.huronvalleyexpo.com/1/expo/index.asp

Fellow Independent Artist Theresa from Studio 618

2009-03-15T14:55:00.009-04:00

I wanted to introduce you to my online friend Theresa. We have started to get to know each other over the past few months, since we are both members of the Esmarts Etsy online team. We share ideas, experiences and encouragement as we journey through the new experience of online sales and the challenges that independent artists face. I can tell in the short time that we have been corresponding within our group, that she is passionate and committed to her craft. I found it interesting to learn more about her background because it is so neat to me what brings each of us to the point we are now at in life.

For over 20 years, Theresa has been working as an architect. Her projects range from small residential remodeling to multi-million dollar corporate headquarters and public institutions. After years of being on the more technical side of architecture, watching her designs being built by the construction trades, she longed to use her own hands to create. For her, this gratification now comes in the form of jewelry-making. Now she has the best of both worlds, from macro to micro scales, offering design and technical challenges that keep her up at night.

She joined the Etsy artisan community in mid 2008, and it opened a whole new experience for her. The benefits of buying from independent handmade artists are tremendous. Since marketing is not my strength, I joined one of the Etsy teams - Etsy Social Marketing Arts Guild. The goal of this team is “further understanding and applying eCommerce advertising and promotion techniques.” Their members consist of artisans across the globe, working with all art medium.

Her jewelry is available through the team shop (http://esmarts.etsy.com/), at local art shows and through her online store (http://studio618.etsy.com/) under the name Studio 618. Her blog (http://studio618.blogspot.com/) reflects her creations, her various interests, issues important to her, and much more. So stop by, say hello, and let her know what you think.

Missing in Action

2009-03-03T10:44:00.003-05:00

Sorry I have been missing in action, I have been sick. I am still not at 100% so my productivity is low, but I will try to start posting again. I have booked a show. I will be at the Huron Valley Taste & EXPO. Here is their site:http://www.huronvalleyexpo.com/1/expo/index.asp

I am also starting to book in home parties. My goal this week is to post a calendar of events so people who want to see my work in person will know where I will be and when...

I am also expanding to have my work in some local shops. So far it is at Karma, a WONDERFUL hair salon in Saline MI. Learn more about them at their website: http://www.karmahairstudio.com/

Lazy Sunday

2009-02-01T15:45:00.002-05:00

Well I am not feeling very well so venturing into the basement to cut glass just isn't going to happen today.
SOOOOO to keep in the creative mode on days like this, I have bought clay and will start to make my own beads because I don't have to be in the workshop to do that.
So off I go!
Ill take pics when I'm done.

More Snow

2009-01-28T08:59:00.002-05:00

Well it would be a good day to fire up the kiln. We are cold and have a bunch of snow again.

I don't know why, but I have been afraid to try the recycled glass. There are extra unknowns so I think I am intimidated!

I'll keep you posted

Another week!

2009-01-26T09:03:00.002-05:00

OK, another week is starting up. Where did the weekend go? That's right, we slept it away! It is just TOOOOO cold here in Michigan.

This weekend when I opened my kiln to check on my glass, I just stood there soaking up the warmth for a few minutes! I don't know why, but I always want to touch my hot glass. It is just so pretty when it is hot. GOOD thing I know better.

Any way, so to start the week I need to post another piece from my Jaded series. I am aalso starting to work with recycled glass and I have a lot of unfun commitments this week to fit the fun stuff in between. I have also been reading the history of glass and found that slumping and fusing go back to the Egyptian ruins. Neat huh. Then it was faded out as glass blowing came into play. Now it's back baby! Maybe they will find me buried with some of my work some day and put it in a museum LOL

Recycled Glass

2009-01-24T17:05:00.003-05:00

Well, I have finished my pinks and reds for Valentines. I am almost done with My "Jaded series" which should be posted in a couple more days. And now I am starting to work with recycled glass and metals - fun fun fun!

It is still super cold here in Michigan so our puppy Kayla is full of energy. She was SICK of me playing with glass and beading and on the computer, so we took her to the dog park. She made some new friends and ran me crazy when it was time to leave and she wouldn’t come.

Pyrite and Bloodstone SET with Bali and Sterling Silver

2009-01-23T16:41:00.005-05:00

Well, I do make sets, but usually only post earrings or pendants. When asked why, I don't have an answer. So here I go, I am going to start posting sets. My 1st to be posted was one I worked hours on with bloodstones, pyrite, Bali Silver, Sterling Silver (some beads have copper in the carvings as well).

It was fun to create, so I will be doing more in the near future.

New Photos

2009-01-21T10:04:00.008-05:00

Last week I asked for feedback on my Etsy store and one of the action items I came away with was to have Varied Backgrounds for my pieces. I happen to like the super black background and like the continuity of the same background, but I have begun to shoot on other backgrounds too. I figured I'm not the only one that has to look at them so if it helps people make decisions then I'm ok with it.

Photo tip: You get the best black in photos from black velvet. Velvet really soaks up the light!

Feel Free to comment on them!

NEW Promo! ONLINE PARTIES

2009-01-20T16:48:00.006-05:00

I am so excited about my newest promotion that I just need blog it!

ONLINE PARTIES!

Online parties are a new concept at Ardent Designs, where for a limited time, you invite your friends, Family, and co-workers to one of Ardent Designs online stores. The host gets FREE jewelry. The amount of free jewelry the host gets is based on the total sales from the party.

We think that this is a wonderful concept and really hope that it catches on.

With an online party you don't have to clean your house or waste an entire afternoon, and you can invite your friends and family that live out of town or even out of state. How cool is that?

Give me some feed back!

Check out more details here

It's time to Shop for Valentines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-12T17:36:00.004-05:00

This weekend I posted a bunch of new designs to my Etsy and Homemade shops online. My goal was to use pinks and reds, to make perfect gifts for Valentines Day, yet for them to be versatile enough to wear year round.

The items I am most geeked about are my new pink fused glass pieces (because I am having so much fun fusing!) and then my deep red vintage drops with the Bali silver.

My other favorite is a design that my daughter created (she is almost 6). She helps me a lot when I work and I was thrilled when she put these beads together on the headpin.

This week I have been working in (green) Jades and copper. I figured that not every one wants pinks and reds for Valentines Day, maybe some "Jaded" pieces would be a good idea LOL: )
I will post them soon.

Initial post

2009-01-11T13:50:00.004-05:00

This is Ardentdesigns initial post. This pair of ear rings is one of our more popular designs due to its simple elegance and everyday wearablity. You can see more at one of our online stores at Etsy or Hand made. Just click on one of our baners here on this site.