Holiday Trunk Show

Rosie's Handmade Revolution will be hosing a MerCurios Trunk Show this Saturday, Dec. 18 from 6pm to 11pm.  Need a last minute gift?  Then come down!  MerCurios and Rosie's Handmade Revolution has you covered!

 

Rosie's Handmade Revolution is a FAB store dedicated to the handmade community and DIY arts.  In essence is a brick-and-mortar Etsy store!  Check out Rosie's Facebook page here to see all of the wonderful Etsy products they carry in their shop.

Amy Fox, the proprietress and crafty lady in her own right always has something going on!  This Saturday boasts a DIY ornament workshop, live music, free giveaways, hot sipping chocolate, seasonal desserts, and of course, MerCurios!

Come join us for a fun-filled evening - you will be glad you did!

Last Minute Gift? MerCurios has you covered!

If you are anything like me then you have probably just ordered your Holiday Cards from an online venue like Shutterfly and have not purchased one single present yet.

While we can't help speed up the printing process for those cards, we can help with the last minute gifts.  MerCurios has *lots* of ready-to-ship items for the last minute shopper like you and me.

Square #1: 

"Charmed" Double Finger Rings clockwise from left: Pisces, Cherry Bomb & Namaste.

Square #2:

"Always Faithful" Matching Padlock bracelet and choker.

Square #3:

Chunky Stone Bracelets Blue Amethyst; Smokey Quartz; Citrine; Glow in the Dark Quartz Crystal.

Square #4:

Glow in the Dark Quartz: gold double finger ring; silver double finger ring; gold necklace with green stone; silver necklace with pink stone.

AND lots, lots more...

Etsy Finds: Tokens of Appreciation

Our "Best Friends" Rings as seen in Etsy Finds.

Gift Guide: Jewelry

2010 "My Picks" Etsy Gift Guide

Spotlight: Jewelry

Brand: MomentusNY

MomentusNY bills themselves as "Handmade, Simple, EVERYDAY ELEGANT jewelry" and in my opinion they truly pull their weight in this category.  MomentusNY's pieces can go from the office to evening in a matter of seconds.  

Lets not forget those special occasions either.  Have a holiday party to addend and looking for that very special piece to complement the outfit you've picked out weeks ago?  Give MomentusNY a peak - they might just have what you need.

Clockwise from left:

1. gold autumn leaf and tree earrings; $18
2. gold clover leaf lucky charm necklace; $27
3. silver five orchids necklace; $30
4. gold bird and tree earrings; $21

 Leave your favorite piece from MomentusNY in the comments section below.

Status Magazine

Some New and Exciting Press here at MerCurios!  Not, ONE, but TWO of our Personalized Tattoo-style Banner Rings were among those featured in the latest installment of STATUS MAGAZINE.

"Money" - upper right
"Sors Ventus Temerarus"  - (fortune favors the bold) lower left

MerCurios Holiday Shipping

MerCurios is pleased to announce we will once again be extending FREE Worldwide Shipping for the Holiday Season.  Beginning Monday, November 15 though January 15 ALL packages are SHIPPED FREE OF CHARGE to the US and Abroad via USPS First Class and First Class International Mail.

• USPS First Class Mail delivery averages 2-5 days and includes a tracking number and delivery confirmation
• USPS First Class International Mail delivery averages 1-3 weeks and includes a Customs Number for reference
• In the interim, until each listing reflects the Free Shipping promotion, MerCurios will refund the shipping charge via PayPal or Google Checkout within 24 hours of purchase.
• Priority and Express Mail are viable shipping options - send me your zip code if you are in the US or your country and postal code if you are abroad  and I will get back to you with a quote.

All Custom work is on a First Come - First Serve basis.

Need some gift ideas?  Here are our HOTTEST Items:

"Say Anything" CUSTOM single and double finger rings (AS SEEN IN STATUS MAGAZINE, Issue 15 October/November 2010) - See the single finger version here and the very popular two finger version here.

Quartz two finger ring (AS SEEN IN CLEO MAGAZINE, September and October 2010 issues) - See that ring here.

Our ever popular CUSTOM Corset Ring (AS SEEN IN THE ETSY FINDS Blog TWICE) available in copper here and stainless steel here

Of course we cannot forget the Copper version of our "Say Anything" ring (AS SEEN IN THE ETSY FINDS Blog & The STORQUE) - you can check it out here and here.

Happy Shopping!

Mistakes = Vulnerablilty = Human

We all make mistakes. However, we don't like to admit them. We don't like to admit our mistakes because doing so makes us vulnerable. And showing any kind of weakness in today's society is a no-no.

I'll admit that I'm human. I'll admit that I make mistakes. I'll admit that not everything works out the way I planned, even when I had the best intentions in mind. October was proof of that.

Now where do I start? I know! At the beginning...

• Early in the month of October a friend contacted me for a custom copper quartz skull ring. The ring was perfect in every way and she was oh so happy. Come to find out an hour after she had the ring that it had to be cut off her hand - turns out she was allergic to copper. Who knew! I went on to remake the ring using silver and the result has been great - no reaction! All I can say honestly is that I'm so happy that this happened to a friend - someone who knew me in *real life* and knew my character, the quality of my work and my level of integrity.

• Three weeks later I received an email from a customer who did not get the custom ring I made for them. Oh, they received a ring all right, but it was not theirs. In fact, their ring went 1,000 miles away to the person who's ring they had. I was, and still am MORTIFIED! You don't me from Adam, but this has NEVER happened before. You may be thinking...hey one package out of five years of shipping, that's a great track record. Me, I'm from the old school where one mistake is just one too many!

Why am I sharing all this with you? A permanent record on the world wide web forever and ever...well, for two reasons:

1. I really need to just let it all out; it's a cleansing process. 
2. To show you that you are not alone

Feel free to share your *mistakes* or better yet, how you over came them...

xo,
MJ

Etsy Blog: Random Acts of Kindness

What a glorious way to start off the month of November; being included among those featured in an article in Etsy's Blog, The Storque.  This article in-particular was titled "Random Acts of Kindness" and centers on Kind Over Matter. 

Kind Over Matter focuses on feeling good and promoting positivity - sounds like how I live my life!  No wonder our "Carpe Diem" ring made into the inspirational post pics.  Kind Over Matter strives to help independent artists and craft persons follow their respective dreams with mico-grants, funded by donations and proceeds from their Etsy Shop.  The best part of this whole thing? WE - you and I - the public at large - decide who shall be awarded the grants.  How cool is that?!

Read more about Kind Over Matter on their Blog.  Here is a link to the Etsy Blog article.  And of course I could not forget our Carpe Diem Ring here.  That's it below -- second row, middle picture

Enjoy!!

xo,

MJ

Etsy Finds: Handmade Holidays

Our "Favored" Copper Corset Ring as seen in the Etsy Finds email:

Twitter Giveaway

ENTER to WIN a CUSTOM Quartz GLOW-in-the-DARK Ring from MerCurios.  The ring is custom in that, upon winning, YOU CHOOSE the Following:

• Pink or Green Stone
• Gold, Silver or Copper
• Skull or No Skull
• 1 or 2 Finger Ring 
  

How to enter to win this custom ring:

1. You must follow me on twitter
2. Please copy and paste this exact message and tweet it from your Twitter account to be entered:

Twitter giveaway! Follow @MerCuriosJewels and RT 2 enter 2 win a $58 CUSTOM GLOW Quartz Ring! Full rules and prize: http://bit.ly/cmKSXQ

This contest is open worldwide. The 150th person to tweet or re-tweet will be the winner. This contest will end as soon as we reach 150 contest tweets. The winner will be announced on Twitter. Good luck!

Proximity

“Proximity” …when a customer said they were going to be adding a charm to their two finger ring when it arrived, I encouraged them to send the charm to me instead.

This was the end result.  Making this ring has opened up a whole new world of possibilities.  My imagination has been soaring with ideas. 

...now to just get caught up on the custom work I’m inundated with so I can breathe life to those ideas.

Enjoy!

Puff the Magic Dragon

I well-up every time I sit down to read Gabriel this book.  Seriously!  It's actually kind of disturbing & I can't control it.  No matter hard I try, I CANNOT get through Puff the Magic Dragon with dry eyes.

Now I'm the kind of person that finds *meaning* in almost everything.  A bird appears out of nowhere and  it's a message of some kind. I look at the clock at precisely 6:12 & I know my grandfather is near. 
 
So I decided to ponder those uncontrollable tears & here's what I finally came up with - The book - which is really just the song in print - is trying to tell me to enjoy my son & his childhood while I still can.  Because one day soon, sooner than I might like, sealing wax and silly strings are going to make way for other stuff.

"A Dragon lives forever, not so little girls and boys

painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys..."

Crying yet?

With that I've come to realize that "Balance" is my life lesson this time around.  Being able to balance my wants and needs with those of my family...especially the precious, oh so impressionable little cargo.  After all :

Balance = Bliss

I do find that when I am in balance, everything else in my life seems to harmoniously fall into place.   Just like magic!  Yet, it is something I struggle with everyday.  Why? 

"One grey night it happened, jackie paper came no more

And puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.

His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,

Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.

Without his life-long friend, puff could not be brave,

So puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave"

I married my best friend

I just saw a commercial for Drew Barrymore's new movie "Going the Distance" with Justin Long.  One of the lines her character says is:  

"the only way you are content in life is if you marry your best friend"

That line got me thinking about my relationship...  We have been together five years, going on six and ...

...he inspires me, he motivates me, he supports me, he is my harshest critic & worst enemy.  He is my best friend.  He knows how to push all my buttons and how to melt my heart. 

I am definitely not suggesting that being married to your best friend will be all rainbows and puffy white clouds against a crystal blue sky 24-7/365.  It won't! Every relationship takes some amount of effort after all.  However, going though life with your best friend at your side "the good will always outweigh the bad" and the ride will be so much more fun!

That's a picture of our engagement tattoo by the way...we custom designed it to signify *home*.

Metallica and MerCurios - what they have in common

My husband recently told me that what's happening to me reminds him of Metallica.  For the longest time Metallica was told they were "too heavy".  They refused to conform & stayed true to their music and eventually the music industry & the public caught up with them.  The same could be said for MerCurios...

The beginning of this year I met with Henri Bendel and was told I was "too edgy".  Then I met with a long time friend of my husband who is an "Accessories Branding Expert"; she used to buy for Hot Topic back in the day, etc...  Now she is the person well-known Accessory Designers call in when they need their business and Collections turned around.  Anyway, she expressed I had talent & vision, but...was "too edgy". 

I was bummed, but persevered. I didn't really know where I was headed or how I would get there.  What I DID know was that I had to stay true to myself otherwise I was not paying homage to the creativity that lives inside me.  It has a life of its own.  Changing how it is inherently born would be untrue.   Making it any less "edgy" would be fasle...so I persevered.

Then, a little while after that - and MUCH to my surprise -  The Three Village Patch got in touch with me.  They discovered me on Twitter of all places and wanted to write a business profile on MerCurios.  I said YES of course.  Then it all seemed to snowball from there...  Sales took off; our jewelry was featured in the "Etsy Finds" blog not once, but twice!  We were on the Etsy front page a few times.  Well-known Fashion Blogs started including our jewelry in their "shop it now" sections - half the time I discovered these little features via Google Analytics.  And the creme de la creme - the Australian Fashion Magazine "Cleo" included our jewelry in TWO issues - September and October - and continue to request more samples.  We have been approached by other fashion publications and boutiques and tattoo shops too!  And it just keeps getting better...

Too Edgy, they said... Stay True to You! says I  ...and the world will eventually catch up.

Dreams really do come true

It's every designers dream to see their product grace the pages of fashion magazines.  I'm no exception, hence the title "dreams really do come true". 

I recently received word that our Quartz Two Ringer Ring was included in the "Crystal Castles" spread in the October issue of the Australian Fashion Magazine Cleo.  While the actual issue hasn't arrived on my door step yet, I do have the tear sheet to share with the world.

Honestly, words cannot begin to express how much this means to me.  I am so overwhelmed to be included amongst such well known and well established jewelry designers in the biz - Billy Bride, Damselfly, None the Richer and the list goes on - wow!

This makes two months in a row!  Last month, the very same ring was featured in the spread "15 Reasons we Heart Etsy" which was great too.  But an actual fashion spread not tied back to any selling venue, now that's awesome!

By the way, our ring is the clear quartz double ring on the models pinky and ring fingers -- the hand clutching her wrist.   

In my world and in all worlds "dreams really do come true", so lets dream BIG everyone!

3 Percent Less - The sad truth

Here on Long Island the local energy company - National Grid - is heavily advertising their "3% Less" campaign.  On the surface it's a No-Brainer!

This campaign focuses on using three percent less energy over the course of the next three years; under the guise that using less energy is not only good for the environment, but will be a savings to the customers.  And YES, using less energy in general is great for the environment -- we all should be that energy conscious.  However, there will never be a savings passed onto anyone and National Grid should not be advertising otherwise.

You would  think though, that using less of anything would save money, right?  I mean if you aren't using it, then you obviously are not spending money on it.  In this case, that is not true!

 Using 3% less energy is definitely good for the environment, but you will NOT see that reflected in your wallet - at least not in a good way.  Like all big corporations, National Grid has investors, employees, pension plans & medical benefits that need to get paid.  Where do you think the money comes from?  That's right, it's customers...US!  In this case using 3% less energy will only make the cost of the energy go up -- they will need to charge more for it to cover expenses. 

Did you know that National Grid charges a surcharge in mild winters where customers use less energy than they predicted.  Seriously, check your bill. Where's the savings in that?

We Picked a Winner - MomentusNY Giveaway

A BIG congratulations to Erin as she was the winner of the MomentusNY giveaway from earlier this week.  

If you recall, the prize was "your favorite item" from MomentusNY's Etsy Shop.  Erin's favorite happened to be the Gold Autumn Leaf & Fruits Necklace (pictured left).

Wear it well!

Thanks again to all whom participated.  Didn't win this one?  No worries!  There will be many more in the future.

In the Artists Den

Here is a peak behind the scenes into my studio, a.k.a. the spare bedroom...  

That's me and my little guy,  Gabriel sitting at the table where I do most of my work.  The Dremmel was a gift from husband one Valentines Day a couple of years ago.  We aren't your typical family.  

The Dremmel is my favorite tool --  I use it for everything... cutting, grinding, sanding, engraving ...everything!  Okay, the Dremmel and the torch.  I really like the torch too!

Unless I have a specific idea in my head busting to get out - like the oh so popular banner rings - I need everything splayed out in front of me to get to the juices flowing.  My sketching skills leave much to be desired, but I do try to scribble down ideas.  It's either that or loose them forever.  If I can't work on a project the minute I'm inspired to, it's gone. As long as I can understand my drawings, that's all that matters.   

Usually everything is all over the floor and I'm down there sorting though until something sparks an idea.  The the picture above is very deceiving - it was for an interview with the Three Village Patch; a local news source dedicated to our hometown.

So now that I let you into my world, what's yours like?  How do you get the creative juices flowing?  Are you organized or messy like me?  I'd love your thoughts...

Month in Review - August 2010

It's no surprise that I've been neglecting my blog lately, although I've tried to get back on track.  Things have been down right nutty here at the MerCurios HQ.  What with all the contests, features and mentions, I've had little time to me or my family.  So I'm going to try and sum it all up here...

Leopard Milkshake LOVES MerCurios! And they showed their their love with three different features this month:

• Ribbon of Life, featuring our Copper Double Banner Ring
• Gleaming, featuring our Silver Double Banner Ring
• Double Up, featuring our Tattoo Banner Ring and Men's Cuff Ring

We teamed up with Inked Up Mommies and Fashion Clique for two awesome & exclusive giveaways. 

  

MerCurios was interviewed for Yahoo Associated Content.  You can read that article here.

Lets see... Alexandra Keller included our Carpe Diem Banner Ring in her post: What I want - stamped metal.  Rame Ottone, the curator behind the blog Bling of the Day also featured our Carpe Diem Banner Ring in this lovely post.  Aleka of the blog Sunshine Sarah was so smitten with our custom rings that she featured us in this beautiful post.

Hmm, oh yeah - our 'quirky' Two-Finger Crystal Ring was included in the "15 reasons we heart Etsy" feature in the September Issue of Cleo Magazine, page 72  - and - on their website in the Fashion Editors Top 5 here.   Now how amazing is that?! ...and did I mention...they found us!

And we made the Etsy Front Page with the Caged Quartz Ring that was featured in a stunning treasury by Taylorseclectic

Wow!  I truthfully had no idea how busy August was until I pulled it all together to recap here.  Let's keep the momentum going!

Etsy Finds: Don't You Forget About Me

Our Sterling and Steel Corset Ring as seen in the Etsy Finds emails:

Seeing is Believing

I stumbled upon these pink and green glow in the dark quartz crystals at a local gem & mineral show.  Actually I walked passed them.  It was my 4yr old son & husband who said "you have GOT to check this out!"  Begrudgingly I walked over, and to please them...picked up two green quartz points.

That was actually the best move I made!  30 minutes after creating and listing a two-finger ring with the first crystal, it sold!  And, I immediately had a request for a glow quartz ring from someone else.  However, this person wanted a single finger version in silver.  Needless to say I got my hands on some more glow in the dark quartz crystals right away, and have been having a hard time keeping them in stock ever since!

We only have a few stones left!!
Yellow = 1 /  Pink = 5 /  Green = 6

Coveting one of these edgy, yet oh so fun glow quartz crystals for yourself?  No Problem!  Contact me here to get the ball rolling.  Quantities are limited and are on a first come, first serve basis.

The feedback has been amazing!  Just glancing at our Facebook Fan Page you will immediately get caught up in all the buzz.  I only wish I could get one, just one clear picture of the quartz while it's glowing -- it is stunning!  The Pink stones glow Purple!!  Seriously, how cool are these stones?!

Seriously! How cool are these stones?

Meet my friend Ivy.

Classic J.Crew - that what's I call her.  Ever so elegant & timeless - thinking of Ivy brings to mind classic movies from 50's.  Kim Novak, Eva Gardner, Audrey Hepurn; each stunning on and off screen - and that's Ivy.

Exact opposites, but oh so similar, Ivy and I are the best of friends and I wanted you to meet her too!  Although if you frequent Etsy, I'm sure Ivy needs no introduction.  The designer behind MomentusNY - Ivy's designs have graced the Front Pages of Etsy a few times since opening up shop in June 2010.

Besides the front page, MomentusNY's designs have been and continue to be featured in countless Etsy Treasuries.  Ivy's designs are a reflection and extension of her - classic movie star meets modern woman.  In addition to designing beautiful jewelry, Ivy is a loving wife and full-time mom to two beautiful girls.

In the spirit of paying it forward, we are having a MomentusNY giveaway.  The giveaway will run now through Sunday, September 19 and the winner will be chosen at random on Monday, September 20.  

The Rules:

1. You must be a follower of this blog to enter.

2. Post your favorite item from MomentusNY here - choose carefully & make sure it is indeed your favorite as this is the PRIZE!

Bonus Entries:

1. Give your heart to MomentusNY on Etsy

2. Follow MerCuriosJewels on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway leaving the link in your comment - use the hashtag #momentusny (you may tweet up to three (3) times a day at least an hour apart for extra entries)

#WIN choice from #MomentusNY & @mercuriosjewels 
#etsy #giveaway ends 9/19 http://bit.ly/aokmX9

Good Luck! 

The giveaway is  open to all US & International residents 18 years and older.  The winner will be selected on Monday, September 20 by PickRandom.com.

Labor Day Weekend Giveaway

*****Labor Day Weekend Giveaway*****

YOU have a chance to WIN this MerCurios Custom Unisex Two Finger Banner Ring.

Simply "Like" MerCurios on Facebook here, then leave a comment on our wall with what your ring will say and your name will be entered into our competition! It's that simple!

Check out the Custom Ring up close & personal here, here, here & here!

The Competition will run from Saturday, September 4 through Monday September 6. The winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Tuesday September 7.

*Already a MerCurios Fan, No Problem! Leave a comment on our Facebook wall with what your ring would say & YOU will be entered into the competition too!

See more Original MerCurios Designs here!

Brooklyn Bound

Here are some pictures from the last Rumblers event under the BQE in Brooklyn - it was the 10th annual Kustom Kills & Hot Rod Thrills Car Show.  

The supporters were out in full-force.  Motor heads from all walks of life were there to either show off their ride or hopefully score one!

Everyone takes pictures of the cars, while I did too, most of my pictures are more candid moments.  I hope you enjoy them.

The waiting begins...  the space for the show is limited.  All the vendors need to be set up before any cars are allowed in.  This is the in-between time...

  Now, this picture...

Is a result of this...

And this...

The scavengers were sure out that day!  With the way that crowd was behaving you would think those photographers never saw a HOT Rockabilly Chic before. Gosh!

I will follow-up with pics of all the cars & some video too, so be on the look out! 

Full Throttle Magazine 4th Annual Biker Build Off

Congratulations to Deadwood Choppers NY for taking home the "Best of the Best" award with the "Termite's Delight".  Deadwood went up against Copper Mike of Gravesend Cycles & Choas Cycles - 2010 Build-Off Champions - for the title "BEST of the Biker Build-Offs". 

The event was jam-packed with people showing their support for the builders, Full Throttle Magazine and The Make-A-Wish Foundation.  All of the proceeds raised at the 8th Annual Full Throttle Anniversary Party / 4th Annual Biker Build-Off Competition went to benefit this wonderful foundation.

In case you aren't already aware, Deadwood Choppers NY has built many well-known bikes including The Victory Junction - which made its debut on the Nascar circuit at the Pocono Racetrack in PA earlier this year, and graced the Cover of the August 2010 of Full Throttle Magazine.

Inspiration

I've learned that I have to do things when I'm inspired to do them.  There is a divine plan that comes with my bouts of epiphany, even if I can't see it at the moment.  Maybe "divine" is too strong a word, but read on & I'll think you"ll get what I'm trying to say.

A good example of what I'm trying to convey is the two finger quartz skull ring.  One night I was inspired to make it and list it right away.  Now this is something I usually never do - I have pieces sitting in trays that were created back in February that have still not made it to the website for sale.  Anyway, within 10 hours of listing the skull quartz double ring it sold! 

They say there is a teacher for every student.  And I believe that can be taken one step further - "there is a designer for every style".  What I mean is...every time I'm inspired to create something, there is already a person for whom it is destined.  If I keep the momentum going by photographing and listing the piece as soon as it's created then it is likely to find it's home sooner rather than later.  Catch my drift?

Another good example of this is the Glow in the Dark Quartz ring - within 30 minutes of listing this ring it sold! I immediately had a request for a silver version & happen to have one more stone on hand with which to fulfill the request.

I can't take all the credit for the Glow in the Dark stones though.  I walked right past them at the last gem & mineral show.  Both my husband and four year old son said "you have GOT to buy these".  As usual, they were right!

Want your very own Glow in the Dark Quartz jewelry piece?  No Problem!  Custom requests are my specialty.  You can see lots more crystal jewelry, including the piece that was featured in the September 2010 issue of Cleo Magazine here.

Do you follow your intuition (a.k.a. moments of inspiration)?  Have suggestions for staying on track?  I'd love some feedback if you feel so inclined - they don't call my style chaotic for nothing.

It's Here!

My very own personal copy of Cleo Magazine arrived in the mail from Australia today!  

MerCurios along with fourteen other Etsy sellers are featured in the article titled "What's Now" - "15 Reasons we Heart Etsy" on page 72 of the September 2010 issue.

The Double Finger Crystal Quartz Ring that you see on the bottom left - that's ours!  Our International sales have always been good.  However, once this article hit newsstands, it's like someone turn on the flood gates. 

Did I mention YOU can have your very own version of the featured quartz ring for FREE?  Way before Cleo requested samples MerCurios teamed up with the savvy fashion blog Fashion Clique to bring one lucky reader this very ring.  Interested?  You can find all the details here.  But hurry, this contest ends on August 31, 2010.

Many thanks to Jessica of Fashion Clique for making sure MerCurios got a copy of the oh so coveted Magazine. xoxo

xo,

~MJ

Gabriel's Ring

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to family and friends that I've been neglecting my blog lately.  When you wear all the hats, something has got to give.  This time it was the blog.  A LOT has been going on and I'm here to bring you all up to speed...

My son has been bugging me for months to make him his very own four finger brass knuckle ring.  I kept putting it off, and putting it off, not really being inspired.  That changed on Friday; the night before the Rumblers 2010 Kustom Kills & Hot Rod Thrills Car Show (look for a separate post on this event).  I suddenly became inspired, as this would be the perfect place to debut Gabriel's new ring - selfish, I know.  ...it says "WANNA PLAY" and is his favorite phrase of all time - he only says it about 100 times a day.

It was a HIT!  Everyone loved it.  Of Course with Gabriel rocking the ring, how could they not love it! And, YES it is most definitely for sale!  For $35 your child can have their very own custom four finger brass knuckle style ring & be the "King of the Playground".  It's crafted from 5mm wide copper and has a felt backing to protect the little fingers.

More on what's been going tomorrow...

MerCurios Fashion Clique Giveaway

Last days to enter to WIN this Quartz Crystal Double a.k.a. 2 Finger Ring by MerCurios.  Entering is as easy as clicking the "Like" button on Facebook.  In fact, that's all you need to do!

Head on over to the Fashion Clique Facebook page here and click the "Like" button.  Once you have "liked" their page & suggested it to a few friends - say so on Fashion Cliques wall.  

That's it! You are now entered to WIN this fabulous ring.  ...did I mention it was included in the September issue of Cleo Magazine? And it's open to ALL US and International peeps!  Good Luck!

What do you think of this giveaway? Is there something you would like to see more of?  With whom should we partner next? Suggestions?  Let me know...I'm listening!

West Meadow Beach

Gabriel & Mommy

Going to the beach today with Gabriel was the BEST thing I did today.  The tide was so low and there were sand bars everywhere.  

We walked out to one, made foot prints in the sand and witnessed nature up close and personal.

Gabriel's little hand holding a baby jelly fish

The shores were littered with these jelly egg sacs - I knew they were eggs of babies, but had NO IDEA they were baby jelly fish!  

Apparently come the end of August, these little guys will be grown.

hermit crab

This little guy was one of many hermit crabs scurrying along the sand bar.  The hermit crabs were all shapes and sizes from the tiniest spec to this guy - he was the largest we saw today.

The tiny snails were fun to watch too.  There were hundreds making their way along the sand, some burrowing deep before our eyes.

This really was a fun afternoon.  North Shore beaches are so rocky that it takes low tide for nature to reveal itself.  This was truly a first for me as I've never walked out to a sand bar.  I'm so happy that I could do this with Gabriel today, allowing him to experience this for the first time too!  We go to the aquarium all time, but it's nothing like this.  Today was beautiful, for sure.